In the games

Ilima is a graduate of the Trainers' School on Route 1 and is admired as a hero by the students there. Some call him the "Prince of the Trainers' School". While he typically acts polite and dignified, he becomes a very different person in the midst of Pokémon battles.

The player first meets Ilima alongside Professor Kukui in the Trainers' School after defeating the Teacher there. He later appears at the Marina when two Team Skull Grunts disrupted his conversation with the player. After defeating the Grunts, he challenges the player to a battle.

Ilima later appears as the player's guide to their first trial in Verdant Cavern.

After clearing Hala's grand trialSM/becoming the ChampionUSUM, the player can visit the second floor of his house in the Hau'oli City Shopping District, where Ilima is in his room. He says he is researching on Pokémon battling, and brings the player to the Trainers' School, where he battles the player.

In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Ilima can be fought at Hau'oli Cemetery during Mina's trial to earn the Orange Petal. In addition, after the player has defeated him in a battle during the post-game, he will give the player a piece of Normalium Z to be delivered to Verdant Cavern for new trial-goers. When the player tries to place the Z-Crystal on the pedestal in Totem's Den, the Totem Pokémon of Verdant Cavern will challenge them to a rematch. After the Totem is defeated, the player can place the Z-Crystal on its proper place.

According to his mother, Ilima used to study in the Kalosregion in the past.

"Oh! You, from the Trainers' School! Already made your way to Hau'oli, hmm?"

"Oh my... How terrifying..."

"Only thieves steal people's Pokémon. I won't stand for it. <Player>, wasn't it? I'll ask you to take care of that one. I'll get rid of this one."

"Again? Oh my... How terrifying..."

"My thanks to you and your Pokémon. Why don't I heal your team to express my gratitude?"

"I must admit, I've been wondering about you since I saw you at the Trainers' School... Professor Kukui brought you along, and you and your Pokémon seemed to defeat our teacher so effortlessly! Very well then! Allow me to see if you're ready for my trial!"

No: "Well then! I'll wait until you are ready to take me on."

Yes: "Behold the magnificent Pokémon of the one and only Captain Ilima!"

Upon being defeated

"Yes! You have emerged victorious!"

After being defeated

"You—or should I say you and your Pokémon— make quite the interesting team!"

"I do hope you'll come to Verdant Cavern and attempt the trial—the trial of Ilima! You can get there from Route 2... That Rotom Dex of yours will show you the way."

"Note that the Pokémon living within Verdant Cavern are quite fierce. I wouldn't venture in unless you've prepared some Potions and so forth. Through attempting the trials during the island challenge, one can exceed his or her own limits. ...That is what the Alolan people believe."

"Once you enter Verdant Cavern, you will not be able to leave until you have completed the trial. Are you prepared for the trial?"

"Then reach the pedestal deep within the cave... and collect the Z-Crystal there! You'll need to be completely in sync with your Pokémon to succeed."

"Oh dear! And there's one more thing I forgot to mention."

"Many strong Pokémon make their home in this cave, but one stronger and more fearsome than all the rest, known as a Totem Pokémon, also resides here! It will be the greatest obstacle you face as you attempt to clear my trial!"

"By the way, until you clear the trial, you will not be able to catch Pokémon in Verdant Cavern."

"This is but one of the seven trials you will face during your island challenge."

"And it begins now! The trial of Captain Ilima!"

If talked to again

"Yes, <player>? Would you like to give up so you can better prepare for my trial? Keep in mind you'll have to start from the beginning if you give up now, though!"

Yes: "I see. Unfortunately, I'll have to ask you to go make whatever preparations you may need to and then come back to try again."

No: "Good! Then go and defeat the three Pokémon. Only then will you be able to claim the Z-Crystal waiting in the final chamber of the cave!"

If the player restarted the trial

"Yes, <player>? I take it you would like to attempt my trial again?"

Yes: "Very well, let the trial begin!"

No: "I see. Unfortunately, I'll have to ask you to go make whatever preparations you may need to and then come back to try again."

"For you to be able to defeat the Totem Pokémon that I had trained up to such a powerful state... I don't know what I can say!"

"Working in harmony with your Pokémon, you have cleared the trial of Ilima! You're a phenomenal Trainer! Congratulations, <player>! The Z-Crystal from the pedestal is yours now!"

"What you have just received is the Normal Z-Crystal! It is known as Normalium Z! Now if you let a Pokémon that can use a Normal-typemove hold that..."

"and strike an elegant pose like this one... then you will be able to strengthen a Normal-type move by unleashing Z-Power!"

"Moving right along..."

"Ah, yes. First, there is one thing I forgot to mention."

"The Totem Pokémon! In every locale where a captain holds his or her trials, you will encounter a particularly strong Pokémon, like GumshoosS/RaticateM just now. And during battles against such Pokémon, they may summon allies to shore up their offense. It's not a tactic often seen in other regions. Perhaps Pokémon in Alola are simply more inclined to help one another?"

"Since you have managed to defeat the Totem Pokémon and proved yourself, you can now try to catch any of the Pokémon you find here in this cave. In fact, have some Great Balls."

"And here, let me see to your Pokémon after all of their hard work in there!"

"If we're done here, I have something interesting I'd like to show you. Come with me to Route 3."

Route 2

"Greetings. Captain Ilima here. As you travel around the islands of Alola, you will find captains' barricades here and there. These barricades help mark areas where particularly strong Pokémon can be found. Anyone can pass through them, of course, if they are escorted by a strong Trainer. Those attempting the island challenge can pass the barricades, as long as they clear the trials. Are you ready? Then behold the power of a captain!"

"Voila! Your world just got a little bigger."

"I am the only captain here on Melemele Island, meaning my trial is the only one here."

"And you've arrived with such exquisite timing! I've been conducting research on battle planning for quite some time, and at last my simulation is complete!"

"Would you be so kind as to test it with me, <player>?"

Not now: "What a shame. Please do let me know when you are available."

Sure: "You have my gratitude. Very well then. To the Trainers' School!"

Trainers' School

"Before we begin, allow me to explain... It's not battle results that interest me. Rather, it's the carefully-thought-out strategies or novel tactics employed by Trainers. How those plans affect one's opponent and influence the outcome of battles—that is where my interest lies!"

"Now give me everything you've got, <player>!"

Upon being defeated

"Yes! It seems that you are once more victorious!"

After being defeated

"Wonderful! What a truly wonderful battle! I'll be feeling the aftershocks from that battle for a long time to come. That was the best I could've hoped for!"

"Thank you. Allow me to treat you to some tea and snacks back in my room."

Hau'oli City Shopping District

"Will you be on your way then? Allow me to offer you this as payment for your assistance."

"When a Pokémon holds an Everstone, it will not evolve. It has other effects as well, but let's set those aside for now. May our friendship last as long as an Everstone!"

If talked to again

"I think I'll begin analyzing our battle data. There are so many amazing discoveries yet to be made! Someday I hope to share them with everyone!"

"So you've spotted me sticking up one of these lovely stickers, have you?"

"Oh yes! If young trial-goers collect these stickers as they travel and follow the path they indicate, they will quite naturally progress along their island challenge! Really, if I had to describe them, I would say these stickers really save trial-goers like you."

"But I cannot let my guard down...Those Team Skull thugs have far too much time on their hands, and they're always trying to get in the way of Trainers on their island challenge. I have to keep an eye on them to be sure they don't take down my stickers."

"I've actually just had a report that Team Skull was seen making trouble around town. I suppose I should go have a look. Well then, young <player>. I hope you'll have a delightful time running about to search out and collect Totem Stickers!"

After defeating Team Skull

"What a lovely battle you showed us there, against Team Skull. My thanks to you and your Pokémon. Why don't I heal your team to express my gratitude?"

"I must admit, I've been wondering about you since I saw you at the Trainers' School... Professor Kukui brought you along, and you and your Pokémon seemed to defeat our teacher so effortlessly! Very well then! Allow me to see if you're ready for my trial!"

No: "Well then! I'll wait until you are ready to take me on."

Yes: "Behold the magnificent Pokémon of the one and only Captain Ilima!"

Upon being defeated

"Yes! You have emerged victorious!"

After being defeated

"You—or should I say you and your Pokémon— make quite the interesting team!"

"I do hope you'll come to Verdant Cavern and attempt the trial—the trial of Ilima! You can get there from Route 2... That Rotom Dex of yours will show you the way."

"Note that the Pokémon living within Verdant Cavern are quite fierce. I wouldn't venture in unless you've prepared some Potions and so forth. Through attempting the trials during the island challenge, one can exceed his or her own limits. ...That is what the Alolan people believe."

"Once you enter Verdant Cavern, you will not be able to leave until you have completed the trial. Are you prepared for the trial?"

"Then reach the pedestal deep within the cave... and collect the Z-Crystal there! You'll need to be completely in sync with your Pokémon to succeed."

"Oh dear! And there's one more thing I forgot to mention."

"Many strong Pokémon make their home in this cave, but one stronger and more fearsome than all the rest, known as a Totem Pokémon, also resides here! It will be the greatest obstacle you face as you attempt to clear my trial!"

"By the way, until you clear the trial, you will not be able to catch Pokémon in Verdant Cavern."

"This is but one of the eight trials you will face during your island challenge."

"And it begins now! The trial of Captain Ilima!"

If talked to again

"Not sure what to do? It's quite simple. Defeat the three Pokémon, reach the pedestal at the back of the cave, and get the Z-Crystal"

If the player tries to leave

"Yes, <player>? Would you like to give up so you can better prepare for my trial? Keep in mind you'll have to start from the beginning if you leave the cave now, though!"

Yes: "I see. Unfortunately, I'll have to ask you to go make whatever preparations you may need to and then come back to try again."

No: "Good! Then go and defeat the three Pokémon. Only then will you be able to claim the Z-Crystal waiting in the final chamber of the cave!"

If the player gave up or was defeated by one of the three Pokémon

"Yes, <player>? I take it you would like to attempt my trial again?"

Yes: "Good! Then go and defeat the three Pokémon. Only then will you be able to claim the Z-Crystal waiting in the final chamber of the cave! Very well, let the trial begin!"

No: "I see. Unfortunately, I'll have to ask you to go make whatever preparations you may need to and then come back to try again."

"For you to be able to defeat the Totem Pokémon that I had trained up to such a powerful state... I don't know what I can say!"

"Working in harmony with your Pokémon, you have cleared the trial of Ilima! You're a phenomenal Trainer! Congratulations, <player>! The Z-Crystal from the pedestal is yours now!"

"What you have just received is the Normal Z-Crystal! It is known as Normalium Z! Now if you let a Pokémon that can use a Normal-type-move hold that..."

"and strike an elegant pose like this one... then you will be able to strengthen a Normal-type move by unleashing Z-Power!"

"Moving right along..."

"Ah, yes. First, there is one thing I forgot to mention."

"The Totem Pokémon! In every locale where a captain holds his or her trials, you will encounter a particularly strong Pokémon, like GumshoosUS/RaticateUM just now. And during battles against such Pokémon, they may summon allies to shore up their offense. It's not a tactic often seen in other regions. Perhaps Pokémon in Alola are simply more inclined to help one another?"

"Since you have managed to defeat the Totem Pokémon and proved yourself, you can now try to catch any of the Pokémon you find here in this cave. In fact, have some Great Balls."

"And here, let me see to your Pokémon after all of their hard work in there!"

"If we're done here, I have something interesting I'd like to show you. Come with me to Route 3."

Route 2

"Greetings. Captain Ilima here. As you travel around the islands of Alola, you will find captains' barricades here and there. These barricades help mark areas where particularly strong Pokémon can be found. Anyone can pass through them, of course, if they are escorted by a strong Trainer. Those attempting the island challenge can pass the barricades, as long as they clear the trials. Are you ready? Then behold the power of a captain!"

"Voila! Your world just got a little bigger."

"I am the only captain here on Melemele Island, meaning my trial is the only one here."

In the anime

Ilima first appeared in Turning Heads and Training Hard!. In the past, Tupp, a to-be member of Team Skull, got annoyed with him when he began to draw groups of girls to him instead. Later in life, Ilima attended and graduated from the Pokémon School, accomplishing a lot of milestone records; this earned the nickname of "Pokémon School Prince". It was even rumored that he could make Samson Oak's Komala open its eyes, but this ultimately turned out to be false, much to the disappointment of Professor Kukui's class. After graduating, he went to Kalos to study abroad and even participated in the Kalos League.

In the present day, Ilima battled Kagetora and won, earning him the Eevium Z. He later returned to the Pokémon School to say hello to Professor Kukui and Samson Oak, and was introduced to Ash and Lillie. After swimming with Ash and his classmates, Ilima showed them his Z-Ring and Eevium Z, and expressed his desire to get stronger with Eevee without needing to evolve it. Ash, finding something in common with Ilima, challenged him to a battle and he gladly accepted. Unfortunately, the two Trainers were interrupted by a gang of Team Skull Grunts, led by a vengeful Tupp. Ilima and Eevee defeated all of the Grunts by themselves, using a Last Resort boosted by Extreme Evoboost to send them flying away.

In Smashing with Sketch!, Ilima taught Ash and his classmates how to play Pokémon Ping-Pong before participating in a Pokémon Ping-Pong tournament himself. He eventually came face to face with another expert Pokémon Ping-Pong player, Ikari, in the finals. After an intense match, Ilima emerged victorious. Later that day, Ilima boarded a boat headed back to Kalos.

In SM128, Ilima returned to Alola to participate in the Manalo Conference. Ash attempted to greet him, only to be knocked over by Ilima's fanbase.

In SM129, Ilima was among the 151 Trainers taking part in the Battle Royal round of the Manalo Conference. Using Eevee, Ilima was able to defeat all of the Pokémon that Team Skull used against him before going up against Plumeria and her Salazzle. Ilima was ultimately able to defeat Plumeria and was among the 16 Trainers still standing at the end of the round. The match-ups for the next round revealed that he would be battling Guzma. Ilima was also revealed to be the favorite to win the Alola League.

In SM130, Ilima went up against Guzma, using his Kangaskhan to battle Guzma's Scizor. Despite Ilima Mega Evolving Kangaskhan, Scizor was able to defeat its opponent, eliminating Ilima from the competition, much to the dismay of his fan girls.

Pokémon

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This article is missing information on this character's Japanese voice actor.You can help by adding this information.

In Smashing with Sketch!, Eevee was seen cheering Ilima on from the sidelines during the Pokémon Ping-Pong tournament.

In SM129, Ilima used Eevee during the Battle Royal round of the Manalo Conference, where it was able to defeat the many Pokémon that Team Skull used against it. It then went up against Plumeria and her Salazzle, eventually managing to defeat it and becoming among the 16 Pokémon remaining at the end.

Smeargle is Ilima's second known Pokémon. It was used during the Pokémon Ping-Pong tournament, using its Sketch to copy the moves used by the opposing side's Pokémon. Eventually, Ilima and Smeargle won the tournament.

Ilima first appeared in person at the Trainers' School on Melemele Island. There, he agreed to help Mallow and the others face off against Team Skull. After the call ended, a Teacher informed Ilima that Hau had arrived to see him. Hau requested to join Ilima and the other Trial Captains in confronting Team Skull at their hideout in Po Town. Hau revealed that a member of Team Skull was a student of Hala's, but that student ended up believing that only victories mattered in battling. Due to this, Hala blamed himself for the formation of Team Skull. After Ilima accepted his offer, Hau went off to buy malasadas, as he believed that with food, everyone might get along easier.

Later that day, Ilima and Hau arrived at Po Town on Ula'ula Island, where they met up with Lana, Kiawe, Mallow, and Acerola. Shortly after entering the area, the group was accosted by several Team Skull Grunts. When Guzma revealed himself demanding to know why his base was being intruded, Hau offered the malasadas to him in the hopes that everyone could eat together. Guzma accepted, but stated that they had to make it to him first. As he says this, a Pheromosa, Celesteela, and Guzzlord appear to attack Ilima's group.

The three Ultra Beasts proceeded to attack anything in sight. As the battle went on, Sun arrived on the scene, only to get caught up in the commotion. Eventually the Captains' Pokémon are defeated, but Guzma reveals he is in possession of a Cosmog, which he uses to open two Ultra Wormholes in order to summon more Ultra Beasts. Shortly after, Gladion appeared and demanded that Guzma tell him where he received the Cosmog and Ultra Beasts from. After revealing his true goal is to destroy the Ultra Beasts, Gladion sends out Type: Null to battle the beasts Guzma summoned.

Despite the Captains' Pokémon failing to even scratch the Ultra Beasts, Type: Null is easily able to harm them due to the Aether Foundation specifically creating it to fight beasts. To everyone's shock, Gladion reveals that the Aether Foundation's president, Lusamine, is the one who gave Guzma his beasts and is secretly using him to fuel her desire for a paradise filled with nothing but Ultra Beasts and herself. Eventually, the beasts manage to break free from Po Town's barrier, allowing them to wreak havoc on all of Ula'ula. The Captains head off to various different locations to evacuate any innocent civilians caught in the beasts' attacks.

Pokémon

Yungoos → Gumshoos

Gumshoos is Ilima's first known Pokémon. It was first seen with its Trainer as a Yungoos walking inside Melemele Island's Trainers' School. Later, it was used to battle the GuzzlordGuzma used at Po Town, but was defeated. It was later revealed to have evolved into a Gumshoos.

An AlolanRattata is Ilima's second known Pokémon. It was first seen with its Trainer walking inside Melemele Island's Trainers' School. Later, it was used to battle the GuzzlordGuzma used at Po Town, but was defeated.

In the TCG

Ilima was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Sun & Moon Series (the Japanese SM Era). It was first released in the Japanese Collection Sun before debuting in English in the Sun & Moon expansion, with an illustration based on the Ken Sugimori artwork of the character. It was also released as a Full Art card in Collection Sun and Sun & Moon, with an illustration by Sanosuke Sakuma. It makes both players shuffles their hand into their deck and flips a coin. If heads, that player draws 6 cards. If tails, they draw 3 cards.